Graduate programs at the U-M School of Dentistry are nationally recognized for training that "couples science and advances clinical practice". The graduate dental hygiene program has a mission to provide its students with the educational experience necessary to become oral health professionals; to conduct research in basic, behavioral and clinical sciences; and to serve the University, profession, and the community.

The graduate dental hygiene program provides students with outstanding research skills through solid preparation and clinical research experiences in clinical research.  Students receive excellent mentorship and exposure to changing technology and research methods, making the University of Michigan one of the foremost programs for dental hygiene clinical research.

Along with research, another goal of the dental hygiene graduate program is the preparation of dental hygiene educators. The American Dental and Dental Hygienists' Association and the America Dental Education Association recognize the increasing need for dental hygiene educators. Today, with an increase in the number of dental hygiene programs and simultaneous retirement of faculty, there remains a growing need for dental hygiene faculty. In 1964, U-M became one of the first dental hygiene programs to offer the MSDH degree, and continues to be a leader in the field.

The University of Michigan has the faculty, facilities, and curriculum options available to prepare dental hygienists for the future. As the role of the dental hygienist expands, along with changes in the health care model and rapid advances in technology, it is critical to educate Master's prepared dental hygienists to teach, mentor, provide patient care, conduct research, manage and lead.

» Applying to Dental Hygiene Graduate Program

For more information contact:
Karen Ridley, RDH, MS
Graduate Program Director
E-mail kjr@umich.edu
Phone 734-763-3369